Four Carbon Trust Standards for Booker

The Booker Group has announced the achievement of four certifications to the Carbon Trust Standard for the second time, recognising reductions in carbon emissions, waste output, water use and the achievement of zero waste to landfill status. It is currently the only wholesaler to hold these four certifications.

The latest round of audits confirm that Booker Group has delivered 12 years of absolute carbon emission reductions, despite sales growing from £3b to £5.6b.

During those 12 years, the group has saved almost 14,000 tonnes of carbon, equal to a family driving for 44 million miles. Initiatives supporting this achievement include the continued rolling out of LED lighting, improved vehicle telematics and dealing with food waste through both local charity donations and the use of anaerobic digestion to create energy.

“We are delighted to be the only wholesaler that holds these four Carbon Trust Standards,” said Catherine Marston, sustainability manager.

“This is a reflection on how seriously we take our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment. In the last five years we have seen an electricity saving of 42 gigawatts and we have donated over 1.3 million meals to local charities in the last year and now report our food waste volumes publicly.

John Newton, associate director of the Carbon Trust, commented: “Booker’s sustained commitment to reducing its environmental impacts for over a decade has seen it become the first wholesaler, to achieve all four Carbon Trust Standards – certifying that the company has been making year-on-year reductions to its carbon emissions water use and waste emissions.'